Here’s the thing about September in Africa: it’s quietly brilliant. The weather’s settled into that perfect balance of warm days and crisp mornings, the crowds are still in their pre-holiday lull, and the animals? Well, they’re basically where I’d put them if I were directing the show. If you’re figuring out where to go in Africa in September, you’re looking at a buffet of seasonal highlights. Think wildebeest crossings in Kenya, spring flowers giving way to whale sightings in the Cape, and powder-soft beaches calling from the islands. I’ve experienced September in Africa more times than I can remember, and every time it’s been a month worth writing home about.
Golden September sunsets meet ocean views in Africa, Image Credit: The Plettenberg
1. Garden Route, South Africa
Spring on the Garden Route brings a crisp freshness to the air, and the fynbos blooms aren’t the only thing worth pulling over for. September is prime southern right whale season along the nearby Cape Whale Coast, with Hermanus hosting its annual festival towards the end of the month.
I always tell people that Africa in September has this knack for putting on wildlife shows in unexpected places, and here, it’s the ocean that steals the spotlight. The coastal drive is all about contrasts, forest one moment, sweeping beaches the next, and the shoulder-season timing means you can actually find parking without circling like a hawk.
Waves crash beside fynbos trails worth wandering
Beyond the obvious stops along the Garden Route, September is the perfect excuse to take detours. Knysna’s lagoon oysters are at their best, Tsitsikamma’s hiking trails are still cool enough for long days out, and local farm stalls brim with early-spring produce (yes, you will end up with a bag of something you didn’t plan to buy).
Insider tip: Pair the Garden Route with a few days in Cape Town or a malaria-free safari in the Eastern Cape, and you’ve got yourself a spring itinerary that ticks both coast and bush, plus better accessibility to attractions since it’s off-peak season.
Kings of the Eastern Cape enjoying spring downtime, Image Credit: Marlin Clark
2. Okavango Delta, Botswana
Botswana in September delivers the rare combination of high water levels and exceptional wildlife sightings in the Okavango Delta. Still in the dry season, the Delta’s flood levels remain near their highest, which sounds counterintuitive until you remember the water comes all the way from Angola’s summer rains. This is when the channels are full, the islands are green, and the wildlife is so concentrated it feels like someone organised them for a family photo.
Africa in September doesn’t get more photogenic than an elephant herd wading past your mokoro (dugout canoe) while fish eagles call overhead. The dry air means clear skies, cool mornings, and a golden light that photographers lose their minds over.
Okavango’s waterways overflow with life in Africa in September
I’ve always thought the Okavango is a masterclass in how to slow travel. You’re not rushing from sight to sight – you’re drifting, poling through papyrus-lined waterways, and spotting animals you’d never see from a vehicle. And when you do get back in a 4x4, the wildlife viewing is at its absolute best: lions sprawled in the shade, lechwe bounding through the shallows, and leopards using floodplains as their personal hunting grounds.
Insider tip: If you can, pair the Delta with a few nights at Chobe or the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve for an even bigger wildlife fix. These are some of those rare places where every turn, ripple, and rustle feels like it’s about to become the best thing you’ve seen all year.
Mokoro journeys reveal hidden wonders of the Okavango Delta, Image Credit: Oddballs’ Camp
3. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
A September safari in the Maasai Mara still belongs to The Great Migration, though the drama shifts slightly from August’s frantic river crossings. By now, the wildebeest herds have mostly crossed into Kenya, but instead of frantic river splashes, you get long, lazy days of them grazing across the plains like they own the place (which, frankly, they do). Predators are in no rush either – they’ve got a ready-made buffet and the weather is still dry enough for game drives that don’t require amphibious vehicles.
Balloon safaris drift above wildebeest-strewn plains
And once you’ve ticked off those migration “bucket list” shots, it’s worth veering off-script. The private conservancies around the Mara – think Mara North or Olare Motorogi – swap the popular seasons for quieter sightings, exceptional guiding, and big-cat territory so good it’s almost suspicious. Leopards here seem to have read the memo on guest satisfaction. And if you’re partial to a hot-air balloon safari, this is your month – the air is calm, the sunrises are outrageous, and the only turbulence is from the flutter in your stomach as the plains drift away beneath you.
Insider tip: If The Great Migration is your main target in September, base yourself in the Mara Triangle or the central plains – the herds linger here longest before heading south.
On the lookout in big-cat country
4. Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Nyerere, Tanzania
Tanzania’s September safaris range from crater floors to riverbanks, each drawing wildlife in remarkable ways. The Ngorongoro Crater’s green slopes start drying out, herding wildlife down to the crater floor’s lakes and grasslands, drawing everything from zebra to rhino. Ticking off the Big 5 before lunch isn’t a brag here, it’s a genuine possibility (though I still wouldn’t skip lunch).
Tarangire, meanwhile, turns into East Africa’s elephant HQ. Herds in their hundreds gather along the Tarangire River, framed by baobabs so oversized they look like set pieces. Predators clock the congestion too, using the dry-season water bottlenecks to their advantage.
Ngorongoro’s crater floor teems with life in Africa in September
Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) offers a completely different kind of safari in September. Remote, raw, and with a fraction of tourists, these parks serve up excellent predator sightings, massive buffalo herds, and riverbanks lined with hippo pods. Nyerere’s boat safaris are a personal favourite – there’s nothing quite like drifting past elephants on the bank while a fish eagle calls and a crocodile pretends not to be watching you.
Insider tip: If Ngorongoro’s on your list, ask our Travel Experts about lodges with convenient access to the crater floor – it means more time exploring in that perfect morning light.
Golden light shimmers over watchful river giants
5. Seychelles, Mauritius, and Mozambique
By the time September rolls around, I like to think of the Indian Ocean as being in full “welcome to paradise” mode. In the Seychelles, the seas start to settle, making it the perfect month to hop between islands or drift over coral gardens with turtles for company. The weather plays along too: sunny, dry, and without the tropical theatrics that can gate-crash other months.
Island escapes shine brightest by the sea in Africa in September
Mauritius steps into its spring best, all warm days and crisp evenings, with enough breeze for sailing but not enough to ruffle your cocktail.
Mozambique’s coastline, meanwhile, is at its most tempting. The Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos serve up the kind of turquoise-and-white pairings you never tire of. Dive in for reef adventures, paddle out for dolphin encounters, or let the dhow skippers do the work while you concentrate on deciding between the day’s catch or the lobster.
Insider tip: The Seychelles, Mauritius, and Mozambique’s island archipelagos each have a completely different feel – from castaway barefoot escapes to polished luxury resorts. Tell your Travel Expert what kind of traveller you are, and they’ll match you with a paradise that fits you best.
Reef dives reveal wondrous underwater worlds
Africa in September FAQs
When it comes to Africa in September, a few key questions always come up. Consider this your shortcut to the essentials – the things worth knowing before you decide where to go.
QUESTION | ANSWER |
|---|---|
Is September a good month to visit Africa? | Yes, September is a good month to visit Africa. It’s peak dry season in safari hotspots like Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana. South Africa enjoys spring, while Seychelles, Mauritius, and Mozambique offer some of their best beach weather. Not every region peaks, but it’s one of the strongest months to combine bush, coast, and islands. |
Where’s the best safari in Africa in September? | The best safari in Africa in September can be found in several regions. The Maasai Mara is prime for the Great Migration, the Okavango Delta shines with both water and land safaris, and Tarangire is famous for its elephant herds. Many other areas are also excellent this month, and our Travel Experts can help match the right destination to your preferences. |
Can I combine a safari and beach holiday in September? | Yes, you can combine a safari and beach holiday in September, and it’s actually one of the best months to do so. Safari destinations like Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana are in peak form, while the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Mozambique offer some of their best island weather. It’s an easy way to balance game drives with downtime on the sand. |
What’s the weather like in Africa in September? | The weather in Africa in September depends on where you go. In East and Southern Africa’s safari regions, it’s late dry season – warm days, cooler mornings, and little to no rain. In South Africa, September brings spring, with fresh greenery and mild temperatures. Out on the Indian Ocean islands, it’s generally sunny, dry, and calm – ideal for beach time. |
Is September good for the Great Migration? | Yes, September is a good month for the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara. By this time, large herds usually spread across the central and northern plains – particularly areas like the Mara Triangle and around Musiara and Talek. The big river crossings taper off after August, but you gain longer, less frantic sightings as predators shadow the herds. |
Which countries in Africa are best to visit in September? | The best countries to visit in Africa in September include Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Mozambique. Each offers something different, from migration spectacles to wild southern parks, or Indian Ocean islands in full paradise mode. |
Family herds march between riverbeds and shade
Your September, Your Way
Africa in September feels like everything is in balance. The bush is pared back to its essentials for exceptional wildlife viewing, the afternoons invite unapologetic idling by the water, and the calendar hasn’t yet tipped into the end-of-year rush. You can chase the last acts of the migration, breathe in the first notes of southern spring, or swap your safari boots for flip-flops on an Indian Ocean beach.
The only challenge? Deciding which version of September suits you best. And really, there’s no wrong answer. The only mistake is thinking you can’t have them all. Pick one, pick three, or let our Travel Experts build you the perfect itinerary.
